The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1887-07-23
JOHN BRANDS SECRET.
Why He Asked Miss Penhryn to
Marry Him.

He thought II was secret, but it was
not. ], myself heard it from several
sources. The surprising part of the
affair was that he should have mag
ined it possible to keep any thing saw
pring of secrecy from the dear old idle
gossips, who, year after year, pitched
their tents at Sea Cliff, that most
charming of watering-places. But men
are never consistent! At least that is
my impression. Speaking of gossips,
ldon't hesitate TO claim myself cham
pion. But it is my business to talk;
and talk do with vengeance. How
should l find material wherewith to
amuse the large number of subscribers
to the Weekly Tattlcr, if 1 did not use
my tongue?
1t is all very well to suppose
that subjects float around in the
brain in picturesque confusion, only
waiting to be seized upon and
conveyed to more healthy local
tiles. But that's moonshine! Subjects
are, for the most part, picked up from
everyday intercourse with everyday
people, and are nodded into shape by
a persistent method of grinding. At
least that's how / get mine. For the
past five years have spent the months
of July and August at the Sea Cliff,
Ocean Beach Hotel; and it can readily
be conceived how close n resemblance
bear to the crafty Machiavel, when
state that | continue to sail under
false colors, insomuch as my identity
has never been discovered, and | con-
tinue to pass for the most inoflensive
and innocent of women!
In reality, | am the most hypocriti-
cal. While my friends are chatterin9
away indiscreetly, / am mentally tax
ing notes and drawing differences. Sc
that when HE me away to my lodg-
ing-house in New York, / have only to
deposit the contents of my battered in
trunk upon the floor, and, presto! what
a budget of items greet me? l chueklc
as sort them over.
But to return. The Ocean Beacl
Hotel is small, very exclusive, and,
may add, very expensive. My pres
ence there is easily accounted for. TIL,
I'attler defrays my expenses. Such il
literary distinction!
We have only the genuinely swell
people stopping here. Most of ou
rooms overlook the grand old ocean
and the ocean at Sea Cliff is something
to write about; bound as it is by rug
gcd coast, over which rocks of noun
famous grandeur tower majestically
Often have | stood upon the balloon,
leading from my chamber, and fancie,
myself in some enchanted land, so re
splendent is the scene which met m,
eye. Fancy a moonlit sea, lying pal
and spectral in the witching calm of
midsummer night. Imagine a vas
army of tremulous waves, bathed il
opalescent light rising and fallini
unanimously; picture those foamy bill
lows, rapturously tossing themselves
one against the other, till, in an ecstac
of passion, they dash against the sky
where a blood-red star pierccs thei
IitiiiilS DOsoill, dilt StilbS bHtlll lOdll
ing, seething, raging back into thei
ocean bed.
Sea Cliff by d y is quite as attractiv
as Sea Cliff by night. At least it is
the generality of people. The hot'
this last season was filed to overflow
ing, but as my story has only to d
with a lady, a gentleman and an oil
woman, will confine myself to then
The gentleman knew very wei
that is, had a several summers a,
quaintance with him. He intereste
me Immensely, and have no hesitatio
in confessing it, indeed, l longed
write him up, but the unfeeling wretc
never gave me the ghost of chance
However. opportunities always arriv
If we wait long enough for them, an
mine came at last. l seized upon
with avidity. The gentleman l ref
to was Mr.. John Brand, eight an
thirty or thereabouts, and lawyer /
profession. He was the last person
the world one would select for her
grave, taciturn fellow, who shunnt
society, and who passed the be
ter part of his time grinding away at tt
dullest of all the dull law books tn
his library contained. Something of
cynie, he held a great many dogmat
views, and these he did not scruple
infuse into the really creditable articl
which, from time to time, appeared
the leading journals over his signatur
This arbitrary and self-opinionated d
position, while it won for him his
place at the bar, failed to endear hi
to his associates OF friends. Tho
who once felt the sting of his sati
were wont to hold aloof afterward, al
it thus happened that, though ric
brilliant and successful, he was not
general favorite. Don't let it be su
posed that the knowledge of this ostr
cism disturbed his equanimity. or
any way caused him discontinue;
didn't. He was quite sufficient un
himself, and derived neither any gre
degree of satisfaction nor enjoyme
from an intimate association with
fellow-beings.
For all his austerity and virulent
Mr.. Brand was, nevertheless, the pr
SCISSOR of a very good heart; but he h
an original way of showing it. I
instance, | once saw him throw &C
piece to a whining beggar, with t
pious CALCULATIONS: Take it and dri
yourself TO death, and il ism t enoue
come back and I'll give you more"
Mr. Brand was IA bachelor, but
was not one from choice. 1t may SCI
peculiar, taken with his other char
teristics. that he should have favor
matrimony, but he did. with cert
amendments, however.
The marriage state as it existed W
according to his philosophy. defect
concern; altogether too inadequate a
imperfect. 1t was continually bel
weighed in the balance and fou
wanting.
asked him what was to be d.
about it.
..It should be rectified, my dear m
amc; rs Il clause. word or paragrs
my be added TO bill before lie.
lalrrc.'
did wish he would cease calling